Mission Statement for the Department of Counselor Education

The Counselor Education Department is grounded in a rich tradition and history. Aware of the potential for personal, professional and global transformation, we create and sustain relationships that facilitate excellence in the development of professionalism, service, and growth. Therefore, with intention, we embrace the strengths of all individuals; we invest in services that promote the greater good; we depend on and contribute to the research and practical foundations of the profession; we develop counselors who enter human services and educational environments with competence, commitment and care.

Theme Statement

We are practitioners who are intentional in the development of relationships that honor the strengths of all individuals and the promotion of transformational growth.

Overarching Beliefs and Values

Counselor-Client Communications

Counselors must be able to demonstrate paraphrasing, reflection of feelings, clarification, silence, attending, minimal verbal response, and identification of affect. The counselor must recognize the congruence of the client's communication as demonstrated by verbal, nonverbal, and extra-verbal cues.

Recognition of Impact

Counselors must be aware of how their actions may affect the client. This not only includes communication, but also confidentiality and professional standards. The counselor must take professional responsibility for providing the best possible counseling environment to assist a client's progress.

Personal Growth

Counselors should take responsibility for their own personal growth and must be able to deal with personal issues in healthy ways.

Conflict Resolution

Counselors should be able to use productive methods for resolving conflicts with and between others.

Approach

Client issues may be accessed cognitively, effectively, spiritually, and/or behaviorally. Counselors should be aware of traditional and innovative counseling methods.

Cultural Differences

Counselors should be sensitive to the needs of multi-cultural populations in providing counseling intervention.

Consultation and Referral

Counselors must be able to identify their areas of expertise and know when and how to consult and refer clients to specialized resources.